MINNEAPOLIS- June 29, 2018- The National Kidney Registry has awarded its 2018 "Excellence in Teamwork" Award to the University of Minnesota Medical Center for demonstrating excellence in teamwork for a complex kidney swap. The hospital is one of ten member centers to receive this award. Together, these centers completed one of the most challenging swaps during the past year which involved 18 surgeries and multiple chain repairs, resulting in nine life-saving transplants.
"By donating one kidney, a donor can make transplant a reality for one or more people," says University of Minnesota Health Transplant Surgeon Ty Dunn, MD, the Medical School's Surgical Director of the Adult Kidney Transplant Program and Living Donor Kidney Program. Participation in a paired exchange program allows a transplant candidate with a willing yet incompatible donor to match up with other people in the same situation. After a match is found, the surgeries can be scheduled so that participants can be transplanted, usually on the same day. Paired kidney exchanges can also be started by altruistic donors–those giving without an intended recipient–to create "chains" between transplant centers across the nation, such as the exchange involved in this situation.
"Paired exchange is fast paced, hard work that is emotional for all involved but we all take great pleasure in seeing many lives saved by our collective tenacity," said Joe Sinacore, Director of Education and Development at the National Kidney Registry.
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The University of Minnesota Medical School has a long history of leadership in kidney transplant, has performed more than 9,000 kidney transplants, and was first in the country to implement a protocol to allow evaluation of potential altruistic donors. The nephrology program is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
About the University of Minnesota Health:
University of Minnesota Health represents a collaboration between University of Minnesota Physicians, Fairview Health Services and University of Minnesota Medical Center. Working together, we provide exceptional care in a wide range of specialties at our hospitals, clinics and in community-based facilities throughout the region. Visit: http://www.mhealth.org.
About the University of Minnesota Medical School:
The University of Minnesota Medical School is at the forefront of learning and discovery, transforming medical care and educating the next generation of physicians. Our graduates and faculty produce high-impact biomedical research and advance the practice of medicine. Visit med.umn.edu to learn how the University of Minnesota is innovating all aspects of medicine.
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